Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
10:42
Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
Published on: December 31, 2017
17.9K
Age-Related Differences in Oral Microbiota Among Obese Patients with Periodontitis: A Systematic Review
Felicia Gabriela Beresescu1, Razvan Marius Ion2,3,4, Adriana Monea1
1Faculty of Dental Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mureș, 540142 Targu Mureș, Romania.
Nutrients
|May 4, 2026
Summary
Age influences the oral microbiome in obese adults with periodontitis, but direct comparative data is limited. Current research suggests age-specific microbial patterns are hypothesis-generating, not definitive.
Area of Science:
- Oral microbiology
- Periodontology
- Obesity research
Background:
- Obesity and periodontitis share inflammatory and metabolic links, potentially mediated by oral microbiota.
- Aging may alter immune function, salivary flow, and cumulative exposures, influencing obesity-related periodontal dysbiosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related differences in the oral microbiota of obese adults with periodontitis.
- To evaluate the strength of existing literature supporting age-specific interpretations of this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase (1088 records identified).
- Qualitative synthesis of 50 studies, with 10 selected for direct evidence on obesity, periodontitis, oral microbiota, and age.
- Risk of bias assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
Main Results:
- Direct comparisons of oral microbiomes between younger and older obese adults with periodontitis are scarce.
- Obesity is linked to increased periodontal inflammation, periopathogen enrichment, and altered microbial community structure.
- Hypothesized age-related differences: older adults may have lower diversity/persistence-oriented communities, younger adults inflammation-amplifying consortia.
Conclusions:
- Age likely modifies the obesity-periodontitis-microbiota interaction, but direct adult evidence is limited.
- Current literature supports cautious, age-aware interpretation rather than definitive age-specific microbial signatures or treatments.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27The Oral Microbiota
90
The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
90
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
65
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
65
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
61
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
61
01:29Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
55
The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more...
55
01:25Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
440
Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
440
01:20Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion
324
Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
324